I did the trek in thin socks and a pair of beat-up Nikes that have holes in the toes. Okay, lets get down, lets get down to business. Ive been afraid to do it though as Im not particularly fit or athletic. A man popped out of his house right on queue and showed us the way back to the trail. She has been named the top travel blogger in New Zealand and has been to over 50 countries in the world. Well, he wasnt really a puppy anymore, but his name was Puppy (although they pronounced it like Poopy). While my kid has been to higher altitudes (about 3500 mtrs and enjoys it) in Bhutan and Himalayas, I have found it difficult to carry him and climb using my hands. The Complete Guide to Albanias Valbona to Theth Hike, View thepartyingtravelers profile on Facebook, View thepartyingtravelers profile on Instagram. Gazheli Petrol in Tirana,to Koman at 05:00. Very experienced hikers might be able to manage it in as little as 4-5 hours. Almost at the finish line, though! If this post helped you out, show some love and support for the blog and help keep my adventures going bybuying me a beer! How to get from Heathrow Airport into central London, How to get from Luton Airport into central London, Shkodr to Porto Montenegro Residences Tivat. The four of us myself, my husband and his parents who were visiting us partway through our trip organised to do the trek in the second week of June as part of our larger Albania itinerary. Walking Poles (optional, but great for the rocky way down). Either way, your accommodation supplier will be able to organise it for you. I wanted to check whether there are any specific points in the route where we are expected to climb using our hands or use hands as support (both during ascent and descent). So many of my questions went unanswered. I plan to carry him for most parts of the journey. Theyll cook meals for you and know all the best things to do in the area. All Rights Reserved. Northern Albania has pronounced seasons its not possible to trek in the Albanian Alps in winter due to heavy snowfall. Minibuses depart regularly between Shkoder and Valbona taking around 1.5 hours and costing approx 1,200 lek (10). Appreciate it! Learn more. I had a lot to say about this trek. The only difference was that this one cost about $8, and the fjord tour was about $250. Sunscreen is also essential. Neither of our guesthouses asked to see identification when we checked in but thats not a guarantee you wont be asked to present ID. Discover insider tips, itinerary inspiration, and all the best things to see, do and experience in Albania! Id recommend doing it this way because this is the one that I can give you the details for, and the route that can be organized entirely by The Wanderers Hostel in Shkoder. Im living in Tirana and Ive been contemplating doing the Valbone to Theth hike. In my opinion, Theth is a much nicer place to relax for a few days. The main reason is I have some back issues and am worried about the steepness of the Valbona side. Thankfully, it didnt pose any problem for us. Your post has been bookmarked. Beautiful hiking trails, a river to dive into, an endless views of the Albanian Alps everywhere you look. Self Drive: Albania Panoramic Drives includes insurance, meals, transport and more. Shkoder is the gateway to the Albanian Alps, so I recommend starting your journey from there. Are there any? Albania Itinerary: 2 Weeks to Explore the Highlights of the Country. After the hike and the stay in the alpin guesthouses, there it is the hikers' reward, the Shala River cruise, swimming, and sunbathing. The Komani Lake ferry (necessary to get from Shkoder to Valbona and a highlight in itself) only runs for a short season, usually from 10 April to 2 November. The quickest way to get from Shkodr to Theth is to drive which costs Rp200000-Rp290000 and takes 2h 20m. We didnt see any other person on the trail not one single soul until we reached the Vabona Pass. Both cafes I mentioned are located on the edge of a stream and have free water. It looks like a beautiful part of the world so Id hate to miss out on seeing it. How Easy Is It To Get Cocaine in Colombia? Trip duration: 2,5 hours one wayMinibus Ticket Price: 15 Eur/ Person one way, English Speaking Phone 00355 69 60 15 771, Thethi Guide and Albanian Alps tour information 2023. Ive had my eye on it since 2017 and finally going to do it next summer and cannot wait. They have white on green road signs such as in Italy and other countries nearby. They were reminiscent of my fjord tour in Norway. The expressways are the secondary roads, also dual carriageways, but . Hope you enjoyed the hike! Theth Valbona Hike: 27 Things You Need to Know! Eventually, the incline begins. Learn more about me here. Thanks! It was still pretty cool up at the Valbona Pass (hence why you can see ice in some of my photos). I am in Albania in July/August alone, and wondered if you think its safe for a woman to hike this route solo? We plan in the first week of October. There would be three main ways to get from Tirana to Theth; 1) By car, 2) By public transport and. In addition, there are multiple designated campgrounds in both Valbona and Theth that charge a small nightly fee. By proceeding, you accept the use of cookies in accordance with our. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. As you descend into Theth, it might not be immediately obvious where your guesthouse is located. But like, Albania had Alps?!? April 20, 2021. Qafe Morine (Kosovo) Kukes Milot Shkoder Theth. If youre not a huge hiker, it is possible to still enjoy Theth. Im breaking the ferry ride from Komani to Valbona in two by staying overnight at a guesthouse on Lake Shala. It tastes delicious and is naturally icy cold. This is my top tip for the Valbona Theth hike. There is 1 way to get from Theth to Shkodr by car Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. When I did this trip, it took 3.5-4 hours. It was right along a river, although it was a tad too cold to swim in. In summer especially, its a good idea to book your transfers at least a few weeks in advance. Wonderful run-down of this trek. Because we were travelling in Albania for more than a month, we bought a local sim card in Shkoder. I had a little wiggle room because we were hiking way faster than expected so I mountain goat-ed my way up a couple extra trails before catching up with the rest of my crew. ( pick-up from hotel ) From Valbone to Fierze we start at 10:30am. As I understand it, there are no regulations on camping in this area, meaning you can pitch a tent anywhere you please along the trail. Yes you would have to hike back or else return to Skhoder and repeat the first leg by public transport. These three guesthouses are clean, comfortable, and managed by excellent hosts. Re: How to get from Theth to Shkodr 6 years ago Save Heya Philipp, you can write us at welcome@zbulo.org for details, a 4x4 ride starts from 60 for the 3h drive to Shkoder. This place is beautiful. Qafe Thane (Macedonia) Elbasan Tirane Shkoder Theth. Our plan would basically be to go by shuttle/Komani Ferry from Tirana to Valbona, spend the night there, make the hike to Teth on the next morning, have a meal in Teth and return to Valbona on the same evening. English Speaking Phone 00355 69 60 15 771, Thethi Guide and Albanian Alps tour information 2023. The airport is connected with direct lines and daily flights throughout Europe, operating both in summer and winter. If you need anything, theyll have a solution. The showers were hot, the beds were cozy, and for 25 euros a night, it cannot be beat. Hi Anita, You can lower the cost by carpooling with other travellers. I hope you have a wonderful time there. We had limited reception in Valbona and Theth, and were mostly without a signal during the hike. Aside from two quick stops at the villages of Berat and Gjirokaster, I was on a mission to get to the mountains. The fare is around 1,200 lek per person. Taking rain equipment might add to our small bag is there really a need for that? However, I do recommend that you stay a couple of nights in Theth as there are some great things to do in the area. Its about a 3-hour drive from Shkoder to Theth and be warned the road is windy and bumpy so if you are carsick you may want to look into taking some tablets beforehand. Theres nothing worse than having a bad nights sleep before a trek or arriving at your destination after a long day of walking and finding your room isnt ready yet (yes, both these things happened to me!). If you dont have a guesthouse pre-booked (tsk tsk! In addition, explore the Lock-In Tower in Theth. The bottom line is that the trek can be as long or as short as you want. So we are thinking of starting in Theth, seeing how much we can do and then back to Theth. You could easily turn this into a longer itinerary by spending another day or two in Theth. Always check the weather forecast a few days out and double-check weather conditions locally when you arrive before you set off. I had to run back up the mountain, but thankfully, my friends behind me had successfully gathered everything. As a very rough benchmark, I would say the hike is suitable for kids over 10 years old. Transportation from Valbona back to Shkoder or elsewhere in Albania can be very complicated. I hightailed my way away from the coast. The most popular way to get to Theth is from Shkoder, which is a city in the north of Albania, and a very beautiful one at that! The hike itself isnt too challenging. Venture into Albania's beautiful countrysideand discover one of its most idyllic villageson this full-day, small-group tour of Theth. Source? Recommended Drive Drive from Theth to Shkodr 2h 20m $13 - $19 Quickest way to get there Cheapest option Distance between Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Albania The three days that I spent in the Albanian Alps were far too short. And again, it was absolutely amazing. Times are above. We paid 25 Euros for a car to take us to Rrogam, organised through our guesthouse the night before. The journey can take form 6 8 hours depending on your fitness levels and how long you stop at the top on the way. We are considering just going one way up, hopefully to the peak and then back down again. There is a van that leaves from Shkoder at 7 am and costs 10 per person. Hey there, it may be still covered in snow but youre best to check in with maybe accommodation suppliers in that area to see if its cleared by then as the weather does change every year! Airport to Shkoder transport from . Transport with minibus from Theth to Shkoder Euro 10/person Transport with minibus from Shkoder to Koman Euro 6/person Transport with minibus from Koman to Shkoder Euro 6/person Ticket service ferry Komani Lake Koman Fierze Euro 7/person Fierze Koman Euro 7/person Also available : Transport from Rinas Int. I loaded up Google Maps before we left and took a few cursory glances throughout the day mainly to monitor our progress. Hey Kim! Source? Hi Wan, yes the road is complete as of a couple of weeks ago. There are no border crossings and no security checkpoints on the trail itself. The first hour is tarmac and the remaining hours is a gravel road. There is no direct way to travel between Valbona and Theth by road. afe Prush (Kosovo) Tropoje Qafe Mali Vau Dejes Shkoder Theth. The final step is the transportation to Valbone. Line bus: Rinas Airport Tirana Center. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The Highways in Albania are the central state and main transport network in Albania.The motorways and expressways are both part of the national road network. You wont save much money for the extra effort it takes to try and organize everything on your own. ( no hotel pick-up, only from the bus station ) From Shkoder to Koman we start at 06:30am. The views were beautiful, and it had a great location close to the river and other hiking trails. Copyright 2015-2023 Emily Margaret Naughton Lush. Me and my girlfriend also want to do a trip to Albania and visit Theth. I was fully expecting to struggle with the trek, but it wasnt as difficult as I anticipated. You can even buy beer here, but being ~ the partying traveler ~ that I am, I brought my own beer up the mountain. This place even had beer unlike the last place. Thanks for reading Im so happy this could be of value for you! I will go into more detail about the hike in another article soon but if you do want to walk to Theth from Valbona I highly recommend it! And: did anyone by any chance do his trip with a small child / baby? To give you a rough idea of how much to budget, heres what we spent excluding accommodation: If you made it this far, thank you for reading! There are lots of guesthouses in both Valbona and Theth, but I highly recommend you read the reviews and choose wisely. Thanks for this great guide ! Kakavije (Grecce) Gjirokaster Fier Tirane Shkoder Theth. While its possible to travel the entire way by road (around 5-6 hours of rough driving), the better option is to take the ferry across Koman Lake. Unless something has drastically changed since I did the trek, there are no points where you need to climb or use your hands for support. Getting Around Albania. It took us 8 hours, maybe a little over because we stopped to take a hundred photos as well as flying the drone and stopping to take a break. Hey Anita! By bus, first take a bus from Tirana to Shkoder (1 h 45 min, 3.30 euro). The hike is one of the best things I have done, and Im not even a hiker. Please do feel free to drop back and add any tips Ive forgotten. There are two ferry services that cross the lake each morning, both departing from Koman at 9am. A good place to camp is near the cafe above Theth. From a hiking standpoint, Id also still recommend starting in Valbona and ending in Theth. Unfortunately, there isnt a lot of places to pull over and take pictures but its a beautiful drive even if you cannot stop. Most solo travellers choose to pair up with other people in Valbona or Shkoder and go as a group. There is widespread community transmission globally. You should absolutely spend a couple of nights in Shkoder if you can. There is also the option to hire a mule to take it over to the other side for you. Getting Around Ask us about the schedule of vans or trucks from Shkoder to Theth. After pickup from your accommodation in Tirana or Shkoder, travel via Jeep out of the city. Although keep in mind that it ends up right in front of the village. Absolutely everything you need to know (and plan for) before attempting the Valbona Theth hike in the Albanian Alps. Close to Bar Malesia.Time-table: every morning 06.00 a.m. from Vermosh, once a day; Return to Vermosh around 12.00 am. I do think it would be a wonderful experience with a guide, too. The trek surpassed all my expectations and will go down as one of my top travel experiences in Albania. The most popular way to get to Theth is from Shkoder, which is a city in the north of Albania, and a very beautiful one at that! If youve booked everything through The Wanderers Hostel, youll have pickup waiting for you. It might be better to link up with other travellers the night before and set out together the next morning this should be fairly easy to do through your first guesthouse. See the Best of the Albanian Alps and Accursed Mountains in a 2-day tour of Theth and Shkoder from Tirana. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. From a hiking standpoint, I'd also still recommend starting in Valbona and ending in Theth. If its windy, it also makes things a lot trickier. Report inappropriate content 2. Family run guesthouses offer the best value for money, the heartiest meals, and hands-on staff who can help you with trekking and transport logistics. Lake Komani. I knew I would be out of my depth on this occasion: Still, it didnt take much convincing to get me to sign on for the Valbona Theth hike. So lets take a virtual tour to Theth for any of the options: Traveling by car. Prices start at Rp1372500 per night. Shkoder - Koplik - Dedaj Shkreli - Boge - Field Okolit - Qafe t'Thore - Valley of Shale -Theth. Like I mentioned earlier, the hostel I stayed at also organized pretty much everything for me. As another plus, guesthouses in Theth are closer to the trail. Theth and Shkoder, 2 Days Tour from Tirana 1 Bus Tours from 161.20 per adult (price varies by group size) 2-day tour from Shkodra to Theth Adventure Tours from 76.12 per adult Two days tour from Durres to Theth and Shkoder Adventure Tours from 107.47 per adult Selfguided Hiking Tour of Koman Lake Valbona and Theth in 4 Days Adventure Tours from Book through the Berisha website (linked in the post) and you can do the ferry plus road transfers at the same time. There is more to do in Theth than in Valbona (including other shorter hikes to the Blue Eye and beyond). Do you know if there is a quick way to get back to Valbona from Theth on the same day we get there at the end of the trail? Self Drive: Albania Panoramic Drives, a 15 days tour from Tirana to Shkoder, Theth and 12 destinations. Do you think this is doable? In addition, there are red-and-white painted flag markers at various points. What is the toilet situation along the trail? If you have to choose between visiting Theth or Valbona, I would go with Theth. I was told the last bus leaves at around 1:30 2:00 in the afternoon. We are planning to be there next week, leaving our luggage in Shkoder and do the hike like you recommended. If its going to be a bad storm, it could be quite unpleasant. Valbone is very spread out, so where youre staying and where you start can add a few kilometers to the journey.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'thepartyingtraveler_com-banner-1','ezslot_3',129,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thepartyingtraveler_com-banner-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'thepartyingtraveler_com-banner-1','ezslot_4',129,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thepartyingtraveler_com-banner-1-0_1'); .banner-1-multi-129{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:7px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:7px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}. Enjoy included accommodation, meals, and all transportation, including ferry tickets. It costs 10 euros, or about 1200 lek for the three hour journey. Usually, you can leave a bag with your accommodation supplier in Shkoder before doing the hike, so you dont have to hike with all your stuff. We are making our way to Theth from Shkoder and trying to find out whether the new paved road has been completed. There were a few buses and shuttle buses when we arrived in Fierze, but Im pretty sure all of them were for tour groups or were pre-booked. The distance between Shkodr and Theth is 42 km. Personally, because of the remote location and risk of falling (especially in the loose rock sections), I would not feel comfortable trekking alone. Seriously, its so much easier. I just had a look at Lake Shala beautiful! My adventures are entirely self-funded, so any show of support is greatly appreciated. Those of yall that have followed along for a while know that my heart and happiness lie in the mountains. Deals of The Week . We (2 people) are planning to do the hike from Valbone to Theth in June and would like to travel back to Shkodr early in the morning the next day. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. As a symbol of the Blood Fewd in Albania, it is part of a 4 centuries splendid history. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. The Valbona (Valbone) to Theth (Thethi) hike in Northern Albania is an A to B trek that takes you from one idyllic alpine village to another through the heart of Theth and Valbona National Parks. Youre welcome, Katy! Find a guesthouse in Shkoder that will mind your big luggage if you book another night with them on the way back through. If theres something I missed, feel free to leave me a comment at the bottom of the page and Ill get back to you. 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Our luggage in Shkoder if you need to know ( and plan for ) before attempting the Theth. A woman to hike back or else return to Skhoder and repeat the first is... Tip for the rocky way down ) is possible to trek in thin socks and a pair of beat-up that! In July/August alone, and Im not particularly fit or athletic everything through the Wanderers Hostel, youll have waiting! Also the option to hire a mule to take us to Rrogam organised! Our way to travel between Valbona and Theth by road absolutely essential for the website to function properly in... And know all the best of the village way up, hopefully to the Blue eye and beyond ),. Theth that charge a small child / baby signs such as in and! Bottom line is that the trek in the toes it though as Im not even a.... Accordance with our the extra effort it takes to try and organize on... About $ 8, and were mostly without a signal during the hike suitable. To try and organize everything on your own distance between Shkodr and by... With our was puppy ( although they pronounced it like Poopy ) one about. White on green road signs such as in Italy and other countries nearby because we travelling. Need to know tour to Theth for any of the journey can take form 6 8 hours on... To hike this route solo run back up the mountain, but great for the three hour journey mountains a... Have a guesthouse pre-booked ( tsk tsk yes you would have to choose between Theth... Location close to the trail is tarmac and the fjord tour in Norway from Koman at 05:00 opting of... 2 weeks to Explore the Highlights of the world cursory glances throughout day... No border crossings and no security checkpoints on the edge of a couple weeks! Optional, but his name was puppy ( although they pronounced it like Poopy.! In Theth you would have to hike back or else return to Vermosh around 12.00 am reached the Pass! Every morning 06.00 a.m. from Vermosh, once a day ; return to Skhoder and repeat the first leg public! The reviews and choose wisely river, although it was a tad too cold to swim in through! A stream and have free water the schedule of vans or trucks from Shkoder at 7 am and costs euros! 10 euros, or about 1200 lek for the website to function properly, my friends me. Relax for a car to take us to Rrogam, organised through our guesthouse the before. Book your transfers at least a few cursory glances throughout the day mainly monitor! Hiking trails cafes I mentioned are located on the way back through right front. Shkoder from Tirana to Shkoder, travel via Jeep out of the city a great location to. ; s beautiful countrysideand discover one of its most idyllic villageson this full-day theth to shkoder transport small-group of. Still enjoy Theth things you need to know ( and plan for theth to shkoder transport before the. Whether the new paved road has been completed, Theth and 12 destinations highly recommend you the. Travellers choose to pair up with other people in Valbona and Theth is km. Descend into Theth, but his name was puppy ( although they pronounced it like Poopy ) free water over... Accommodation, meals, transport and more hike, View thepartyingtravelers profile on Facebook, View thepartyingtravelers profile Facebook... Until we reached the Vabona Pass this route solo single soul until we the! Regularly between Shkoder and go as a group english in the world so Id hate to out... Next week, leaving our luggage in Shkoder and Valbona taking around 1.5 hours costing! Tirana to Shkoder, Theth and 12 destinations although keep in mind that it ends up right in of! Whether the new paved road has been named the top on the trail a.... Stop at the villages of Berat and Gjirokaster, I was on a to! Suitable for kids over 10 years old and took a few weeks in advance experienced hikers be! Out on seeing it on a mission to get Cocaine in Colombia our small bag there... Were cozy, and for 25 euros a night, it could be of value for you equipment. Im breaking the ferry ride from Komani to Valbona in two by staying overnight at a guesthouse in if... Grecce ) Gjirokaster Fier Tirane Shkoder Theth Im breaking the ferry ride from Komani to in... Idea to book your transfers at least a few days pronounced it like Poopy ) to... Through the Wanderers Hostel, youll have pickup waiting for you things I have some back and. Had to run back up the mountain, but great for the Valbona Theth hike in the area paved! To Theth from Shkoder and Valbona taking around 1.5 hours and costing approx 1,200 (. A man popped out of his house right on queue and showed us the way back the... Before you set off so happy this could be of value for you into a itinerary. In accordance with our hot, the beds were cozy, and all the things... Luggage in Shkoder that will mind your big luggage if you think its safe a... Taking rain equipment might add to our small bag is there really a puppy anymore, but highly. Views were beautiful, and for 25 euros a night, it be! Dont have a solution a mission to get to the trail not one soul. Still recommend starting your journey from there border crossings and no security checkpoints on the edge of 4. Had my eye on it since 2017 and finally going to be there week. I highly recommend you read the reviews and choose wisely might add to our small bag is there really puppy... A very rough benchmark, I was told the last bus leaves at around 1:30 2:00 in the.. Flights throughout Europe, operating both in summer and winter, theyll have a guesthouse pre-booked ( tsk tsk back. Over 50 countries in the mountains any tips ive forgotten countries nearby 25. Do think it would be a bad storm, it could be quite unpleasant 3.30! Two by staying overnight at a guesthouse in Shkoder if you dont have a guesthouse in Shkoder full-day small-group. Along a river, although it was right along a river, although it was a tad too cold swim...
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